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New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4168, 30 July 1874, Page 2

Yesterday, in the House, Mr. Vogel stated that further information had reached him by the mail as to the placing of the loan of a million and a half on the English market. The tenders were called for at a nominal price of 98 per cent., at which price an amount of £078,100 was taken. Making allowance for the money not immediately payable, &c., tho price practically was £96 9s. The balance, £826,000, was taken at £95 14s. 2d., thus reducing the price of the whole loan by about fifteen shillings per cent. The returns received on tho day of the polling for the Waitemata election gave Mr. Macfariane a small majority over Mr. Von der Hoydo, but subsequent accounts state that the latter has been elected by a majority of 50. Some interesting particulars are given iu one of our telegrams regarding a visit to the river Mokau and its Native population by a party from New Plymouth, The reception of tho crew of the craft in which the visit was paid was favorable to the prospect of a trade with that place being established, and of there being developed a district possessing good land and minerals. A variety of returns relating to Native lands and affairs were laid on the table yesterday by Mr. McLean, who also gave notice of his intention to ask leave to introduce Bills to amend various Acta relating to Native matters.

The mail steamer Oyphrenes, with the outward San Francisco mail and the inward Suez mail onboard, sailed from Port Chalmers at half-past four yesterday afternoon, having transhipped the letters from the s.s. Albion, which reached the port in the morning. The Tararua, which had preceded the Albion, from Melbourne, coming by way of the West Coast, arrived in Wellington harbor last evening at an earlier hour than was expected, considering the unfavorable weather which had prevailed. At the instance of Mr. Bunny, the Government consenting, the House yesterday agreed to take the Bill for the “ Payment for the Construction of certain Public Works in the Province of Wellington in land or money,” in committee before the notices of motion. The Bill was then passed through committee, and reported to the House.

Among the petitions presented to the House yesterday was one (presented by Mr. Pearce) from the Mayor and Corporation of the City of Wellington, praying that the from licenses and other specified sources within the City should be handed over to the City authorities ; and one from miners of Otago (presented by Mr. Pyke) praying for relief from the burden of taxation now imposed upon them.

The subject of the hardships reported to have been endured by a number of immigrants, who had been.landed at Port Chalmers and brought on to Wellington and here embarked on board the s.s. Napier for carriage to Blenheim, as they were intended for the Province of Marlborough, cropped up in the House yesterday. A question was asked ns to whether they bad been left for twenty-four hours without food. A reply from the department was read, to the effect that no complaint had been made officially. Mr. Seymour, the Superintendent of Marlborough, obtained leave and explained the matter. The emigrants had arrived one morning last week by the Phccbe. Ihe Napier was chartered and fitted out for the run across to Blenheim. The immigrants received thenbreakfast, dinner, and tea, and were embarked in the evening. The Napier was expected to reach Blenheim by midnight, or early in the morning, and every preparation had been made in Blenheim for their reception. The Napier, however, met with the severe weather that has lately prevailed in the Strait, and when within a few miles of Blenheim was forced to return to Wellington. In the morning the immigrants received breakfast on board the Napier ; a number of them were then placed on board the Phcebe for Pieton—as many in fact, as the . accommodation in Piotou would receive—and the remainder removed to the immigrants depot. Those who went on to Pieton were at once engaged there, and the remainder would bo forwarded at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. McLean declined, yesterday, to lay on the table of the House the reports made upon the operation of the Native Lands Courts by the Judges, but promised to bring in a Bill on Tuesday next to amend the Act. Mr. Buckland said great dissatisfaction existed among the Natives north of Auckland as to the manner in which they were treated under the Act. Mr. Taiaroa said he was dissatisfied with the Act, and would prefer to see the Court abolished and the same law applied both to whites and Maoris. He also stated that the Maori members were present when the question of the production of the reports asked for by Mr. Kelly was discussed, and were in favor of their production. Mr. Katene remarked that it was nothing to him and the Maoris what the Judges reported. The laud did not belong to the Judges but to the Natives. He shared the views of Mr. Taiaroa. The debate was adjourned on the motion of Mr. T, B, Gillies till next day. Tho member for Grey Valley submitted a motion to the House yesterday,' which declared an opinion that the Resident Magistrates of the Colony and their officers should he placed solely under the control of the General Government, and their salaries paid by appropriation by the House. In support of his motion he alluded to tho conduct of the member for - the Buller (Mr. O’Conor,) who had been understood to say, that if he succeeded in a certain election in which he was engaged (that of the Superintendent of Nelson) he would punish any of the officers of the Provincial Government who opposed him in the contest. This resolution Mr. Harrison accused that hon. member of having carried out since ho had obtained a superior position to that of Superintendent—that of Provincial Secretary and Treasurer of Nelson —by obtaining a vote for salaries in one sum, which was .-£3OO less than the previous vote, and giving effect to his threat by dismissing one of the wardens. In the course of tho same election, said the introducer of the motion, Mr. O’Conor accused his opponent, the late and present Superintendent, of having allowed his personal feelings to animate him in promoting friends and supporters to office—to constitute, in short, “ a family ring.” These were illustrations of tho impropriety of the existing system ; and supported the views put forward in the resolution. Mr. Vogel hoped the House would not permit so important a subject to he dealt with by resolution in a way such as this, which was not fair to the House or the Government, and was merely wasting time which should he devoted to carrying on the business of the country. He regarded the form in which the subject matter of [the resolution was introduced as not an honest one. Mr. O’Conor denied the assertions of the mover of the motion, which were untrue and unfounded. After some discussion the motion was withdrawn.

Another of the series of meetings which have been held for the purpose of considering the propriety of erecting a third Anglican church in Wellington, took place on Tuesday evening, at Messrs. Bothuno and Hunter’s office. The meeting had been insufficiently announced, and by this omission many who, no doubt, would have attended, were absent. The Right Rev. the Bishop explained previous proceedings. A site which had been offered by the Hon. J. Johnston for £SOO, had since been sold for £800; and the only one now available was a portion of the College Reserve, which had been offerpd by the Superintendent, subject to the sanction of the Provincial Council. He favored the accc|)tance of that site. Archdeacon Stock, seconded by Mr. R. Hunter, moved that the olfer be accepted. Sir James Fergnsson suggested the propriety of selecting a smaller and more centrally situated site, as more suiting the immediate object they had in view, Mr. Bowles, seconded by Dr. Kemp, moved as an amendment, “That this meeting does not consider the proposed site suitable.” On a division the amendment was lost, and the original motion was carried. The question of endowment was next considered, and on the motion of Mr. T. Kebbell, seconded by Sir James Fergnsson, a committee was appointed to start a subscription list ; Sir James Fergnsson afterwards proposing that the committee should meet that day fortnight, and sufficiently advertise the meeting, as well as announce it in the churches. His Excellency several times expressed himself as most desirous of promoting the object-in view, and, with others present at the meeting, suggested the adoption of active and energetic steps to achieve it. A handsome and comfortable two-horse omnibus has boon observed in the streets during the last two or three days, plying to and from the Railway Station. It was much wanted, and. is a great public convenience. The state of the road it travels, from tho station as far' as the Government printingoffice, however, should be looked to. If it would not be literally true of this road, any more that it was of the “Auld Brig o’ Ayr,” that “ twa wheelbarrows tremble when they meet|” upon it, it is certainly correct to say that vehicles going to or from tho station find trouble and danger, from tho bad state of the sea-face of the road, in passing those heavilyloaded timber waggons which use this line of street on their way down from the Wairarapa to Wellington. Owing to tho inclemency of tho weather, tho sale at Messrs. Mclntyre & Co.’s stores, of Greymouth coal, ox Mary Ogilvie, was not so numerously attended as it otherwise would havo been. Some twenty tons or more were sold, at prices ranging from JCn- to 00s. per ton ; and the remainder is now for private sale, as will be seen by an advertisement in' another column.

In answer to a question, Mr. Vogel stated yesterday that it was not intended to introduce “any system whereby grants of land shall be made to the heads or members of families reared in the Colony by parents whose immigration has imposed only a partial or no burden upon the public revenue or estate.” The construction of twenty-seven cottages for immigrants in the Wairarapa district is contemplated. The design is to erect nine in Featherston, nine in Greytown, and nine in Mastertou, according- to specifications and plans which are to be seen at the Provincial engineer’s office, or in each of the townships named. The time for the receipt of tenders extends till Tuesday, the 18th day of August. The Wellington Waterworks Loan Bill—to increase the capital of the company, so as to enable them to build a new reservoir—was read a second time last night in the House. Mr. Pearce proposed that it should be committed at once/ To that course Mr. Vogel took exception. There were several Wellington Loan Bills before the House, and it was necessary that the Government should have time to examine them carefully. Mr. Pearce assented to a suggestion from the Premier that the Bill should be committed on Wednesday of next week. The Wellington Te Aro Reolamation Bill was then brought up to be read a second time. Some objections were taken by Mr. Brandon, who held that the Bill invaded private water-rights, and others, for which no provision had been made. Mr. Vogel said tho Bill should be referred to a select committee. Mr. Bunny said the Crown grant had been issued, but the grant would be useless unless the Bill were passed. He assented to refer the Bill to a select committee, for which he would move to-day. The Mayor of Wellington Bill was read a second time, and also ordered to be committed to-day. Some discussion took place in the House last night on the motion by Mr. Taiaroa for the appointment of a select committee “to inquire into and report on unfulfilled promises to Natives in the Middle Island.” Objection was taken to the names of the proposed committee. Mr. Meiyyu was about to propose an amendment in this respect, when Mr. Vogel rose and objected to tire resolution, which was so framed as to commit Parliament to the idea that there had been unfulfilled promises. The matter should be brought up by petition. Mr. Macandrew hoped the Government would be supported, and that the Natives would not be led to indulge hopes that some two million acres of land should be reserved for them on mere assertions, unsupported by evidence, that promises made to them some thirty years ago bad not been fulfilled. Mr. J. L. Gillies said the claim had for a long time been before the House, and it had been repeatedly proved to select committees of the House by Mr. Taiaroa that he bad claims,-though not perhaps to the extent of bis present claims. He hoped Mr. Taiaroa would assent to the course suggested by the Premier. Mr. Sheehan said it was on record that there were unfulfilled promises to the Natives, as to schools and hospitals for example. Questions of this kind should not be left open for years and years, when they might be settled in a few days. Mr. Taiaroa reminded the House that the committee of the House last year bad recommended the appointment of two arbitrators, but that proposition was withdrawn at the instance of the Government, who promised to do so, but bad let the matter drop. The Maoris had claims—-one acre in every ten was to be returned to them. That was included in the agreement of 1810, but it was not done. In the deed of purchase their cultivations were to be reserved for the Natives and their children —but that bad not been done. Mr. : Mantel!’s promises bad not been fulfilled. The settlement of it had been too long postponed. The House was wrong in supposing be asked too much. Let it consider what was due. Mr. Taiaroa at last agreed to submit the matter to the Petitions Committee, but be expressed fears that the matter would give them great trouble. The motion was then negatived. It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that Mr. Bachelder intends giving an entertainment witli bis celebrated Colossean Pantascope, at the Odd Fellows’ Hall, to-night, for the benefit of Mr. H. Eastwood, his agent, who met with a very severe accident by the capsizing of a coach, in Otago, some time since, when bis leg and foot were fractured, causing him to be laid up in the Hospital for seventeen weeks. Mi'. Eastwood is well known in Wellington, having acted as agent for various companies that have visited tho Province ; and tho object of this evening’s entertainment is a most worthy one, which should commend itself to the recognition of the public, who, we have no doubt, will support the movement by supplying a bumper bouse. The company will not give any other performance in Wellington on this occasion, as they proceed to Melbourne this week cn route to Africa. The entertainment is to consist primarily of the exhibition of tho Colossean Pantascope of a tour through America, and another of its features are the performances of the so-called Wooden-headed Acrobat, and the production of “ the last sensation from Fiji,” entitled, “ A Singular Recognition,” in which Messrs. Collier and Massey, with a lady amateur, are to appear. The bon. member for Akaroa (Mr. Montgomery) lias found it necessary to consult the Speaker, and the Speaker to inform the House that it would be necessary to refer a letter sent by Mr. Montgomery to Mr. Speaker, and other documents, to a select committee. It appears that the firm with which Mr. Montgomery is connected had fulfilled a contract with the Government for railway sleepers, and had received payment from the railway department within the last few days. The hou. member had not been aware of the fact till Tuesday, and he desired to know from the Speaker—and the Spoakerdcsirod to have the opinion of a select committee—as to whether these circumstances had forfeited these at of the hon. member. In the course of the evening Mr. Reeves moved the appointment of a select committee to impure into the case, and to report its opinion to the House.

Mr, Vogel stated to tho House yesterday that it would not be convenient to give tlie adjourned debate on the Qualifications of Electors Bill precedence on Friday, as had been arranged on Tuesday night. The Government found that, considering the period of the session, there was business which must he got through.' The Bill in question was not of sufficient importance to justify the lengthening of the session. .Next week the Government would introduce measures contemplated in the Financial Statement. Later in tho session it might bo possible to proceed with the discussion—but, lie added, the Government might not be able to bring it on at all. The announcement was received with some applause by tho House, which appeared to accept the “murder” of the first “ innocent” of tho session as rather an agreeable thing after all. Mr. Stafford expressed himself as perfectly satisfied with the arrangement. The following letter, in reply to a resolution passed at a public meeting, relative to the proposed removal of a Warden from the Grey Valley, has been received by Mr. Haselden, of Reef ton, from the Premier: —“ I have the honor to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of June 26, enclosing copy of resolutions adopted by a public meeting, presided over by you, at Reefton, and in which, informing mo of the views of that meeting, you urge that injury would be done to tho Grey Valley district by the removal thence of the Goldfield’s Warden. In reply, I have to state that questions as to tho location of Wardens are entirely for the decision of tho Provincial Governments; and that I do not doubt your representations in the present case will receive very careful consideration from the Provincial Government of Nelson.” A correspondent of the Wairampa Standard suggests that a monument to the memory of tho late Captain Cleland should bo erected by public subscription, near the spot where the fatal accident occurred. In reply to a telegram from the Secretary of tho Reefton Rond Board, relative to the money for tho Murray Creek Road, His Honor the Superintendent, says the Herald, stated that the matter was now out of his hands, and the Executive should bo communicated with I In the event of tho Board doing so, he would lend every assistance in obtaining to the question favorable consideration.

A novel and liberal invitation is given to the young people of Wellington by little Rosa Towers. She invites them to be present in the Theatre this evening, free of charge, for the purpose of seeing her play “ Grif.” The invitation is too teurpting a one not to meet with a ready response, and there mil doubtless be an attendance of extraordinary numbers. In consideration of the propriety of young people keeping early hours, the performance will commence at half-past seven o’clock. There was a very fair attendance at the Theatre Royal last night, considering the wretched state of the weather, to witness the deservedly popular drama of “ Grif.” Miss Rosa Towers, as the hero of the play, seems, if it were possible so to do, to improve on acquaintance. The comic side of the picture is so cleverly depicted by her that it is liable at first to be taken as her forte ; but this idea is dispelled at the close of the last scene, when she takes advantage of the opportunity the author of the story has given, to show how faithfully she can render the emotional passages which occur in Grif’s dying address; and the manner in which her pourtrayal of the character of the fond-hearted boy visibly affects her audience, stamps the performance as one in which she achieves a brilliant ‘ and remarkable success. Miss Jessie Raymond possesses tbe liappy gift of conveying the full effect of the character she represents without in the least overdoing it, and this in parts where the opportunity and temptation for excess would make it almost pai'donable, or, at any rate, cause it to be overlooked. Mi's. Towers plays her part with her usual ability ; and Miss Howard gives an excellent and true idea of the Colonial barmaid in the early diggings’ times. As we have already said, Mr. Burford’s rendering of Richard Haudfield is in accord with his usual display of ability in such characters, and that is not a little, Mr. J. P. Hydes’ interpretation of Zachariah Blemish, the “ strictly moral man,” as an exhibition of acting, may be set down as the most closely and completely studied character in the cast. The other characters are ably filled by the remainder of the company. “So many men, so many minds,” is a proverb that applies to magistrates as well as multitudes. Recently in the Greyraouth R.M. Court a local publican was fined for not closing his billiard room at twelve sharp. A magistrate at Wanganui has decided that an hotel keeper may keep the billiard room attached to his premises open all night. It would, says the Greymouth Star, be interesting to the lovers of this pastime to know which of these two decisions is the correct one. News was brought to Nelson by tbe ketch Ruby, of a sad case of drowning from that boat on her way to the Croixelles last week. Whilst she was off the end of the Boulder Bank, Wakapuaka, Mr. Askew went below and left a young man named George Lively in charge. Shortly afterwards, hearing a splash and cry, he ran up on deck, when he saw Lively struggling in the water. He immediately threw a log of wood to him, and put the boat about, but before he could reach him, deceased, who was hampered and weighed down with a heavy coat, sank, and although the boat was kept about the spot, he was no more seen. The deceased arrived in the barque Mendoza some few mouths since. Last Tuesday, according to the luangahua Herald, will be I’emembered as a red-letter day in the district, ,as associated with the commencement of crushing operations at Larry’s —distant, as the crow flies, about eight miles from Reefton. The character of the stone recently raised from No. 2 South Larry’s mine is truly magnificent. We were shown a sample of stone knocked out of the south drive which was quite equal to anything yet obtained in the district.